Kitchen worktops: choose a practical, reliable and beautiful option

For most Russians, cuisine is the heart of the home. Here, not only food is prepared for the whole family, many housewives spend most of their free time from work and leisure in this multi-purpose room, the closest guests are received, conversations are held, the whole family gathers at the dinner table. When designing a kitchen space, every element is important, each of its components. In this publication, we will consider the difficult question of choosing countertops for a modern kitchen. In the variety of options lies the complexity of solving the dilemma - is it possible to find an option that will meet all the requirements of owners of apartments and houses planning to repair or remodel a kitchen? Let's try together to find a simple compromise in a difficult choice.

The specifics of the functionality of the kitchen space leaves its mark on the choice of any component of the interior, and countertops are no exception. Humidity, constant temperature changes, a high level of likelihood of surface contamination, various effects - all this affects the choice of materials from which countertops should be made. But aesthetic qualities cannot be discounted to create a harmonious, outwardly attractive image of the kitchen interior.

Criteria for choosing a kitchen worktop:

• immunity to heat:
• resistance to moisture (low hygroscopicity);
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• simplicity in leaving (a possibility of use of chemical cleaners);
• aesthetic appeal, harmonious combination with other interior elements - kitchen facades, surface finishes;
• financial opportunities of the family (some variants of countertops have the highest technological qualities, but their cost is also high).

In addition to the fact that all countertops can be divided by cost (one of the most important types of calibration for most buyers), they can be classified by their physical qualities and material composition. We will analyze the last type of separation in more detail. According to the composition of the material, countertops can be classified into:

• laminated with plastic;
• countertops made of artificial acrylic stone;
• made of artificial stone with quartz filler;
• from solid wood of various species;
• from a natural stone;
• from stainless steel;
• from glass;
• from ceramic tiles or mosaics.

Particleboards made of chipboard are laminated with plastic, the thickness of which varies from 0.8 to 1.2 mm. Plastic consists of several layers of paper, impregnated with special resins and pressed under high pressure. The top layer is a wear-resistant polymer; it is its appearance that is responsible for the aesthetic qualities of the product. The advantage of such countertops is that they are presented in a wide variety of color variations, can be matte or glossy, can imitate wood or stone. The thickness of the plastic layer, the quality of the chipboard and the external qualities affect the cost of the finished product. And even in this very affordable price category of countertops, there is a very significant variation in the cost of domestic and foreign products.

The front edge of the laminated countertop can be made in various variations. The radial rounding of plastic on the end of the product from its working surface is called blockage. This method of designing the front edge is very popular. The blockage can also be done with a hem - plastic from the end is bent under the lower part of the product.In addition, the end face of the countertop can be decorated using an aluminum profile or 3D edge. Most often, this method is used when equipping a furniture set with radiused facades.

We can safely say that at the moment countertops with a similar composition are the most popular. The products consist of plywood, on which a layer of artificial stone with a thickness of about 12 mm is glued. In turn, artificial stone is a polymer glue with granules of various colors and sizes, imitating natural material. The resulting material is sufficiently plastic and allows you to create bent shapes, which is often necessary for kitchen furniture with radiused facades.

But a curved shape can not always be given to a countertop - the cheaper the material, the less ductile and more fragile. But such products can be used in the preparation of direct kitchen facades. Artificial stone is lightweight, it is smooth and warm to the touch, unlike natural material. One of the main advantages of this type of countertops is that you can create solid sheets without joints, cut holes in them for sinks or other elements, and do not load the lower tier of kitchen cabinets with heavy weight.

The end face of the tabletop made of artificial stone can also be made using various curly shapes. The product can last for a long time if during its manufacture the technological process was not disturbed and the manufacturer did not save on components. That is why, when choosing a countertop with this type of material composition, experts advise giving preference to well-known brands that have established themselves on the market for many years.

 

Products of this type are a mixture of quartz, granite and mirror chips with a binder polymer resins. Plates for such countertops are made at high temperatures under vacuum on special vibrating tables. The lack of air in the composition of these countertops suggests a high resistance to moisture. Unlike natural stone, vacuum-created products do not absorb solvents and acids.

The thickness of the countertops with quartz agglomerate is about 30 mm. The product is resistant to breaks and scratches. Thanks to modern technology, the junction of the countertops can be made almost invisible.

Talking about the beauty of natural material does not make sense - this is a must see. Obviously, no imitation will eclipse the natural pattern. But for naturalness you have to pay a lot. And the matter is not only in the cost of the stone itself. Tabletops made of natural stone have a large weight, their installation will require the creation of a reinforced frame of kitchen cabinets of the lower tier. In addition to the large weight and high cost, some breeds of natural stone have other disadvantages. For example, marble looks luxuriously, capable of transforming even the most ordinary interior with one of its presence. But as a material for countertops, it is impractical - it is easily scratched (needs frequent grinding) and gets dirty (high hygroscopicity).

As a rule, granite is used to make kitchen worktops. It is less porous, poorly absorbs moisture, compared with other types of natural stones. But any natural stone requires increased attention. The need for special care, as well as the high cost, push buyers to alternative materials for the manufacture of countertops. But no one will argue with the fact that in terms of longevity (with proper use), natural stone has no equal. A tabletop made of natural material can survive not only the kitchen facades and the repair itself, but also its owners.

Natural wood products look great, bring a special character to the kitchen interior. They are strong and durable, but only with proper care.The surface of the tabletop made of wood must be periodically treated with special protective compounds with an oil base. Another feature of natural wood products is the method of cleaning surfaces - only a damp sponge, without any chemistry.

Typically, wooden countertops are made of beech, oak, teak and wenge - these are quite dense, durable and incredibly beautiful species. Solid wood worktops look great with facades of any color and are suitable for many stylistic design options for kitchen spaces.

Obviously, the main advantage of stainless steel countertops is their incredibly long lifespan. Such surfaces are not afraid of high temperatures and humidity, it is resistant to the formation and propagation of the fungus. It is not for nothing that these countertops are used in restaurants - they are easy to care for, they can be washed with cleaning products, achieving sterile cleanliness.

The steel worktop looks great in a modern interior, in a high-tech or loft-style kitchen. But for classic kitchen spaces such a solution will not work - one of the main disadvantages of this type of product. Another feature is the low scratch resistance (they can be clearly seen on the steel surface). As a result, the countertop must be periodically polished, which leads to additional costs.

Glass is extremely rarely used for the manufacture of countertops in home kitchens. The high cost and complexity in the course outweighs the obvious aesthetic qualities. Scratches, chips and cracks on glass surfaces are commonplace. That is why in modern design projects of kitchen spaces you can rarely find this type of countertops.

Countertops decorated with ceramic tiles or mosaics are also not common. The surface looks original, creative. But it turns out to be of little practical use. Ceramics themselves are able to withstand very high temperatures and withstand moisture, but trowel joints can not "boast" of such properties. As a result, the surface is vulnerable to the formation and reproduction of various bacteria. Even coating surfaces with special enamels does not completely solve the problem.

When designing a kitchen space, choosing a furniture set and distributing storage systems and household appliances, the countertop acts primarily as a functional element, not a design one. That is why it is important at the initial stage to determine the exact dimensions of this interior component of the kitchen space. The shape and size of the countertops must be correlated with the layout of the kitchen, the placement of work areas, the ergonomics of the processes, ensuring the comfort and convenience of family members.

One of the most important parameters is the height of the countertop. The convenience of working processes in the kitchen zone depends on this quantity and the correctness of its choice. It is necessary to select the height of the tabletop based on the growth of a family member who will carry out most of all work processes. With growth below 150 cm, the recommended countertop height is within 76 cm. If the height of the hostess (owner) of the kitchen is from 150 to 160 cm, then we set the countertop at 82 cm. With an increase of 160-170 cm, this figure will be 88 cm, if while the growth of adult family members is in the range from 170 to 180 cm, then the height of the countertop will be 91-92 cm. In cases where the kitchen owners are sufficiently tall, from 180 to 190 cm, the countertop is raised 94-95 cm from the floor. For very tall people, with growth under 2 m or more, the height of the countertop can reach 1 m.

Obviously, the selection of the height of the countertops is an individual decision in each case, given that the growth of family members is not the same. But the width of the countertops is easier to determine - it is directly dependent on the dimensions of the room itself and the location of the upper tier of kitchen cabinets. For example, if the width of the kitchen worktop is 65 cm or more, then hanging cabinets can be placed at a distance of 47-50 cm from its surface. In small kitchens, the width of the countertops should be small. But even in a spacious room you should not get carried away with this value - the width of the countertop should be such that it is convenient to work on it.

The thickness of the countertop directly depends on the material of manufacture and can vary from 2 to 6 cm. The standard thickness of a product made of chipboard is 28 mm. Moisture resistant countertop can be represented up to 38 mm thick.

When choosing a countertop for the kitchen, it is also necessary to take into account the costs of its installation. The cheapest will cost the installation of laminated countertops. They are attached to the frame of the cabinets using metal corners and screws. In some cases, to hide the gap between the wall and the countertop, it is necessary to install a baseboard.

Installation of steel countertops will cost more. The maximum possible length of such products is 3.7 m. The edges of the countertops, as a rule, are bent around the edge of the chipboard or completely wrap around the plate. Steel countertops are presented only in rectangular versions. Installing countertops made of solid wood will cost 2 times more expensive than installing steel. Such products are fixed with the so-called "floating" method using brackets with oval slots. The services of installers working with natural stone will cost the most. The installation of countertops made of natural stone can reach 30% of the price of the product itself.